ThissamedayGeneralFairfaxsentinatrumpettoproposeexchangingprisoners，whichtheLordGoringrejected，expectingareinforcementoftroops，whichwereactuallycomingtohim，andweretobeatLintoninCambridgeshireasthenextday。
Thesamedaytwoshipsbroughtinaquantityofcornandprovisionsandfifty-sixmenfromtheshoreofKentwithseveralgentlemen，whoalllandedandcameuptothetown，andthegreatestpartofthecornwaswiththeutmostapplicationunloadedthesamenightintosomehoys，whichbroughtituptotheHythe，beingapprehensiveoftheParliament'sshipswhichlayatHarwich，whohavingintelligenceofthesaidships，camethenextdayintothemouthoftheriver，andtookthesaidtwoshipsandwhatcornwasleftinthem。Thebesiegedsentoutapartytohelptheships，buthavingnoboatstheycouldnotassistthem。
18th。SirCharlesLucassentanansweraboutexchangeofprisoners，acceptingtheconditionsoffered，buttheParliament'sgeneralreturnedthathewouldnottreatwithSirCharles，forthatheSirCharlesbeinghisprisoneruponhisparoleofhonour，andhavingappearedinarmscontrarytotherulesofwar，hadforfeitedhishonourandfaith，andwasnotcapableofcommandortrustinmartialaffairs。TothisSirCharlessentbackananswer，andhisexcuseforhisbreachofhisparole，butitwasnotaccepted，norwouldtheLordFairfaxenteruponanytreatywithhim。
UponthissecondmessageSirWilliamMashamandtheParliamentCommitteeandothergentlemen，whowereprisonersinthetown，sentamessageinwritingundertheirhandstotheLordFairfax，entreatinghimtoenterintoatreatyforpeace；buttheLordFairfaxreturned，hecouldtakenonoticeoftheirrequest，assupposingitforcedfromthemunderrestraint；butthatiftheLordGoringdesiredpeace，hemightwritetotheParliament，andhewouldcausehismessengertohaveasafeconducttocarryhisletter。Therewasapapersentenclosedinthispaper，signedCapel，Norwich，CharlesLucas，buttothatthegeneralwouldreturnnoanswer，becauseitwassignedbySirCharlesforthereasonsabove。
AllthiswhiletheLordGoring，findingtheenemystrengtheningthemselves，gaveorderforfortifyingthetown，anddrawinglinesinseveralplacestosecuretheentrance，asparticularlywithouttheeastbridge，andwithoutthenorthgateandbridge，andtoplantmorecannonupontheworks；towhichendsomegreatgunswerebroughtinfromsomeshipsatWivenhoe。
Thesameday，ourmensalliedoutinthreeplaces，andattackedthebesiegers，firstattheirport，calledEssex，thenattheirnewworks，onthesouthofthetown；athirdpartysallyingattheeastbridge，broughtinsomebootyfromtheSuffolktroops，havingkilledseveraloftheirstragglersontheHarwichroad。Theyalsotookalieutenantofhorseprisoner，andbroughthimintothetown。
19th。ThisdaywehadtheunwelcomenewsthatourfriendsatLintonweredefeatedbytheenemy，andMajorMuschamp，aloyalgentleman，killed。
Thesamenight，ourmengavetheenemyalarmattheirnewEssexfort，andtherebydrewthemoutasiftheywouldfight，tilltheybroughtthemwithinreachofthecannonofSt。Mary's，andthenourmenretiring，thegreatgunsletflyamongthem，andmadethemrun。
Ourmenshoutedafterthem。Severalofthemwerekilledonthisoccasion，oneshothavingkilledthreehorsemeninourfight。
20th。Wenowfoundtheenemy，inordertoaperfectblockade，resolvedtodrawalineofcircumvallationroundthetown；havingreceivedatrainoffortypiecesofheavycannonfromtheTowerofLondon。
ThisdaytheParliamentsentamessengertotheirprisonerstoknowhowtheyfared，andhowtheywereused；whoreturnedword，thattheyfaredindifferentwell，andwereverycivillyused，butthatprovisionswerescarce，andthereforedear。
Thisdayapartyofhorse，with300foot，salliedout，andmarchedasfarasthefortontheIsleofMersey，whichtheymadeashowofattacking，tokeepinthegarrison。Meanwhiletheresttookagoodnumberofcattlefromthecountry，whichtheybroughtsafeintothetown，withfivewaggonsladenwithcorn。Thiswasthelasttheycouldbringinthatway，thelinesbeingsoonfinishedonthatside。
ThisdaytheLordFairfaxsentinatrumpettotheEarlofNorwichandtheLordGoring，offeringhonourableconditionstothemall，allowingallthegentlementheirlivesandarms，exemptionfromplunder，andpasses，iftheydesiredtogobeyondsea，andalltheprivatemenpardon，andleavetogopeaceablytotheirowndwellings。ButtheLordGoringandtherestofthegentlemenrejectedit，andlaughedatthem，uponwhichtheLordFairfaxmadeproclamation，thathismenshouldgivetheprivatesoldiersinColchesterfreeleavetopassthroughtheircamp，andgowheretheypleasedwithoutmolestation，onlyleavingtheirarms，butthatthegentlemenshouldhavenoquarter。ThiswasagreatlosstotheRoyalists，fornowthemenforeseeingthegreathardshipstheywereliketosuffer，begantoslipaway，andtheLordGoringwasobligedtoforbidanytodesertonpainofpresentdeath，andtokeeppartiesofhorsecontinuallypatrollingtopreventthem；
notwithstandingwhichmanygotaway。
21st。ThetowndesiredtheLordGoringtogivethemleavetosendamessagetoLordFairfax，todesiretheymighthavelibertytocarryontheirtradeandselltheirbaysandsays，whichLordGoringgranted；buttheenemy'sgeneralreturned，thattheyshouldhaveconsideredthatbeforetheylettheRoyalistsintothetown；
thattodesireafreetradefromatownbesiegedwasneverheardof，oratleast，wassuchamotion，aswasneveryetgranted；that，however，hewouldgivethebay-makersleavetobringtheirbaysandsays，andothergoods，onceaweek，oroftener，iftheydesireit，toLexdenHeath，wheretheyshouldhaveafreemarket，andmightsellthemorcarrythembackagain，ifnotsold，astheyfoundoccasion。
22nd。Thebesiegedsalliedoutinthenightwithastrongparty，anddisturbedtheenemyintheirworks，andpartlyruinedoneoftheirforts，calledEwer'sFort，wherethebesiegerswerelayingabridgeovertheRiverColne。Alsotheysalliedagainateastbridge，andfacedtheSuffolktroops，whowerenowdeclaredenemies。Thesebroughtinsix-and-fiftygoodbullocks，andsomecows，andtheytookandkilledseveraloftheenemy。
23rd。ThebesiegersbegantofirewiththeircannonfromEssexFort，andfromBarkstead'sFort，whichwasbuiltupontheMaldenroad；andfindingthatthebesiegedhadapartyinSirHarbottleGrimston'shouse，called，"TheFryery，"theyfiredatitwiththeircannon，andbattereditalmostdown，andthenthesoldierssetitonfire。
Thisdayuponthetownsmen'streatyforthefreedomofthebaytrade，theLordFairfaxsentasecondofferofconditionstothebesieged，beingthesameasbefore，onlyexceptingLordGoring，LordCapel，SirGeorgeLisle，andSirCharlesLucas。
ThisdaywehadnewsinthetownthattheSuffolkforceswereadvancedtoassistthebesiegers，andthattheybeganafortcalledFortSuffolk，onthenorthsideofthetown，toshutuptheSuffolkroadtowardsStratford。Thisdaythebesiegedsalliedoutatnorthbridge，attackedtheout-guardsoftheSuffolkmenonMileEndHeath，anddrovethemintotheirfortinthewoods。
ThisdaytheLordFairfaxsentatrumpet，complainingofchewedandpoisonedbulletsbeingshotfromthetown，andthreateningtogivenoquarterifthatpracticewasallowed；butLordGoringreturnedanswer，withaprotestation，thatnosuchthingwasdonebyhisorderorconsent。
24th。TheyfiredhardfromtheircannonagainstSt。Mary'ssteeple，onwhichwasplantedalargeculverin，whichannoyedthemeveninthegeneral'sheadquartersatLexden。Oneofthebestgunnersthegarrisonhadwaskilledwithacannonbullet。ThisnightthebesiegedsalliedtowardsAudly，ontheSuffolkroad，andbroughtinsomecattle。
25th。LordCapelsentatrumpettotheParliament-General，buttherogueranaway，andcamenotback，norsentanyanswer；whethertheyreceivedhismessageornot，wasnotknown。
26th。Thisdayhavingfinishedtheirnewbridge，apartyoftheirtroopspassedthatbridge，andtookpostonthehilloveragainstMileEndChurch，wheretheybuiltafort，calledFothergall'sFort，andanotherontheeastsideoftheroad，calledRainsbro'sFort，sothatthetownwasentirelyshutin，onthatside，andtheRoyalistshadnoplacefreebutovereastbridge，whichwasafterwardscutoffbytheenemy'sbringingtheirlinefromtheHythewithintherivertothestonecausewayleadingtotheeastbridge。
July1st。Fromthe26thtothe1st，thebesiegerscontinuedfinishingtheirworks，andbythe2ndthewholetownwasshutin；
atwhichthebesiegersgaveageneralsalvofromtheircannonatalltheirforts；butthebesiegedgavethemareturn，fortheysalliedoutinthenight，attackedBarkstead'sfort，scarcefinished，withsuchfury，thattheytwiceenteredtheworkswordinhand，killedmostpartofthedefendants，andspoiledpartofthefortscastup；butfreshforcescomingup，theyretiredwithlittleloss，bringingeightprisoners，andhavingslain，astheyreported，above100。
Onthesecond，LordFairfaxofferedexchangeforSirWilliamMashaminparticular，andafterwardsforotherprisoners，buttheLordGoringrefused。
5th。Thebesiegedsalliedwithtworegiments，supportedbysomehorse，atmidnight；theywerecommandedbySirGeorgeLisle。Theyfellonwithsuchfury，thattheenemywereputintoconfusion，theirworksateastbridgeruined，andtwopiecesofcannontaken，LieutenantColonelSambrook，andseveralotherofficers，werekilled，andourmenretiredintothetown，bringingthecaptain，twolieutenants，andaboutfiftymenwiththemprisonersintothetown；buthavingnohorse，wecouldnotbringoffthecannon，buttheyspikedthem，andmadethemunfitforservice。
Fromthistimetothe11th，thebesiegedsalliedalmosteverynight，beingencouragedbytheirsuccesses，andtheyconstantlycutoffsomeoftheenemy，butnotwithoutlossalsoontheirownside。
Aboutthistimewereceivedbyaspythebadnewsofdefeatingtheking'sfriendsalmostinallpartsofEngland，andparticularlyseveralpartieswhichhadgoodwishestoourgentlemen，andintendedtorelievethem。
OurbatteriesfromSt。Mary'sFortandsteeple，andfromthenorthbridge，greatlyannoyedthem，andkilledmostoftheirgunnersandfiremen。OneofthemessengerswhobroughtnewstoLordFairfaxofthedefeatofoneoftheparties，inKent，andthetakingofWeymerCastle，slippedintothetown，andbroughtalettertotheLordGoring，andlistedintheregimentoftheLordCapel'shorse。
14th。ThebesiegersattackedandtooktheHytheChurch，withasmallworkthebesiegedhadthere，butthedefendersretiredintime；someweretakenprisonersinthechurch，butnotinthefort；
SirCharlesLucas'shorsewasattackedbyagreatbodyofthebesiegers；thebesiegeddefendedthemselveswithgoodresolutionforsometime，butahand-grenadethrowninbytheassailants，havingfiredthemagazine，thehousewasblownup，andmostofthegallantdefendersburiedintheruins。ThiswasagreatblowtotheRoyalists，foritwasaverystrongpass，andalwayswellguarded。
15th。TheLordFairfaxsentoffersofhonourableconditionstothesoldiersofthegarrisoniftheywouldsurrender，orquittheservice；uponwhichtheLordsGoringandCapel，andSirCharlesLucas，returnedananswersignedbytheirhands，thatitwasnothonourableoragreeabletotheusageofwartoofferconditionsseparatelytothesoldiers，exclusiveoftheirofficers，andthereforecivillydesiredhislordshiptosendnomoresuchmessagesorproposals，orifhedid，thathewouldnottakeitilliftheyhangedupthemessenger。
Thiseveningallthegentlemenvolunteers，withallthehorseofthegarrison，withSirCharlesLucas，SirGeorgeLisle，andSirBernardGascoigneattheheadofthem，resolvedtobreakthroughtheenemy，andforcingapasstoadvanceintoSuffolkbyNaylandBridge。TothispurposetheypassedtherivernearMiddleMill；
buttheirguideshavingmisledthemtheenemytookthealarm；uponwhichtheirguides，andsomepioneerswhichtheyhadwiththemtoopenthehedgesandlevelthebanks，fortheirpassingtoBoxted，allranaway，sothehorsewereobligedtoretreat，theenemypretendingtopursue，butthinkingtheyhadretreatedbythenorthbridge，theymissedthem；uponwhichbeingenraged，theyfiredthesuburbswithoutthebridge，andburnedthemquitedown。
18th。Someofthehorseattemptedtoescapethesameway，andhadthewholebodybeenthereasbefore，theyhadeffectedit；buttherebeingbuttwotroops，theywereobligedtoretire。Nowthetownbegantobegreatlydistressed，provisionsfailing，andthetownspeople，whichwerenumerous，beingveryuneasy，andnowayofbreakingthroughbeingfoundpracticable，thegentlemenwouldhavejoinedinanyattemptwhereintheymightdiegallantlywiththeirswordsintheirhands，butnothingpresented；theyoftensalliedandcutoffmanyoftheenemy，buttheirnumberswerecontinuallysupplied，andthebesiegeddiminished；theirhorsealsosunkandbecameunfitforservice，havingverylittlehay，andnocorn，andatlengththeywereforcedtokillthemforfood；sothattheybegantobeinaverymiserablecondition，andthesoldiersdesertedeverydayingreatnumbers，notbeingabletobearthewantoffood，asbeingalmoststarvedwithhunger。
22nd。TheLordFairfaxofferedagainanexchangeofprisoners，buttheLordGoringrejectedit，becausetheyrefusedconditionstothechiefgentlemenofthegarrison。
Duringthistime，twotroopsoftheRoyalHorsesalliedoutinthenight，resolvingtobreakoutordie:thefirstrodeupfullgalloptotheenemy'shorseguardsonthesideofMaldenroad，andexchangedtheirpistolswiththeadvancedtroops，andwheelingmadeasiftheywouldretiretothetown；butfindingtheywerenotimmediatelypursued，theywheeledabouttotheright，andpassinganotherguardatadistance，withoutbeingperfectlydiscovered，theywentcleanoff，andpassingtowardsTiptreeHeath，andhavinggoodguides，theymadetheirescapetowardsCambridgeshire，inwhichlengthofwaytheyfoundmeanstodispersewithoutbeingattacked，andwenteverymanhisownwayasfatedirected；nordidwehearthatmanyofthemweretaken:theywereled，asweareinformed，bySirBernardGascoigne。
Upontheseattemptsofthehorsetobreakout，theenemybuiltasmallfortinthemeadowrightagainstthefordintheriverattheMiddleMill，andoncesetthatmillonfire，butitwasextinguishedwithoutmuchdamage；however，thefortpreventedanymoreattemptsthatway。
22nd。TheParliament-Generalsentinatrumpet，toproposeagaintheexchangeofprisoners，offeringtheLordCapel'ssonforone，andMr。AshburnhamforSirWilliamMasham；buttheLordCapel，LordGoring，andtherestoftheloyalgentlemenrejectedit；andLordCapel，inparticular，senttheLordFairfaxworditwasinhumantosurprisehisson，whowasnotinarms，andofferhimtoinsultafather'saffection，butthathemightmurderhissonifhepleased，hewouldleavehisbloodtoberevengedasHeavenshouldgiveopportunity；andtheLordGoringsentword，thatastheyhadreducedtheking'sservantstoeathorseflesh，theprisonersshouldfeedastheyfed。
TheenemysentagaintocomplainoftheRoyalistsshootingpoisonedbullets，andsenttwoaffidavitsofitmadebytwodeserters，swearingitwasdonebytheLordNorwich'sdirection；thegeneralsinthetownreturnedunderalltheirhandsthattheynevergaveanysuchcommandordirection；thattheydisownedthepractice；andthatthefellowswhosworeitwereperjuredbeforeinrunningfromtheircoloursandtheserviceoftheirking，andoughtnottobecreditedagain；buttheyadded，thatforshootingrough-castslugstheymustexcusethem，asthingsstoodwiththematthattime。
Aboutthistime，aporterinasoldier'shabitgotthroughtheenemy'sleaguer，andpassingtheirout-guardsinthedark，gotintothetown，andbroughtlettersfromLondon，assuringtheRoyaliststhatthereweresomanystrongpartiesupinarmsfortheking，andinsomanyplaces，thattheywouldbeverysuddenlyrelieved。Thistheycausedtobereadtothesoldierstoencouragethem；andparticularlyitrelatedtotherisingoftheEarlofHolland，andtheDukeofBuckingham，whowith500horseweregottentogetherinarmsaboutKingstoninSurrey；butwehadnoticeinafewdaysafterthattheyweredefeated，andtheEarlofHollandtaken，whowasafterwardsbeheaded。
26th。Theenemynowbegantobatterthewalls，andespeciallyonthewestside，fromSt。Mary'stowardsthenorthgate；andwewereassuredtheyintendedastorm；onwhichtheengineersweredirectedtomaketrenchesbehindthewallswherethebreachesshouldbemade，thatincaseofastormtheymightmeetwithawarmreception。Uponthis，theygaveoverthedesignofstorming。TheLordGoringfindingthattheenemyhadsetthesuburbsonfirerightagainsttheHythe，orderedtheremaininghouses，whichwereemptyofinhabitants，fromwhencetheirmusketeerfiredagainstthetown，tobeburnedalso。
31st。Abodyoffootsalliedoutatmidnight，todiscoverwhattheenemyweredoingataplacewheretheythoughtanewfortraising；
theyfellinamongtheworkmen，andputthemtoflight，cutinpiecesseveraloftheguard，andbroughtintheofficerwhocommandedthemprisoner。
August2nd。Thetownwasnowinamiserablecondition:thesoldierssearchedandrifledthehousesoftheinhabitantsforvictuals；theyhadlivedonhorsefleshseveralweeks，andmostofthatalsowasasleanascarrion，whichnotbeingwellsaltedbredwens；andthiswantofdietmadethesoldierssickly，andmanydiedoffluxes，yettheyboldlyrejectedalloffersofsurrender，unlesswithsafetytotheiroffices。However，severalhundredsgotout，andeitherpassedtheenemy'sguards，orsurrenderedtothemandtookpasses。
7th。Thetownspeoplebecameveryuneasytothesoldiers，andthemayorofthetown，withthealdermen，waiteduponthegeneral，desiringleavetosendtotheLordFairfaxforleavetoalltheinhabitantstocomeoutofthetown，thattheymightnotperish，towhichtheLordGoringconsented，buttheLordFairfaxrefusedthem。
12th。TherabblegottogetherinavastcrowdabouttheLordGoring'squarters，clamouringforasurrender，andtheydidthiseveryevening，bringingwomenandchildren，wholayhowlingandcryingonthegroundforbread；thesoldiersbeatoffthemen，butthewomenandchildrenwouldnotstir，biddingthesoldierskillthem，sayingtheyhadratherbeshotthanbestarved。
16th。Thegeneral，movedbythecriesanddistressofthepoorinhabitants，sentoutatrumpettotheParliament-General，demandingleavetosendtothePrince，whowaswithafleetofnineteenmenofwarinthemouthoftheThames，offeringtosurrender，iftheywerenotrelievedintwentydays。TheLordFairfaxrefusedit，andsentthemwordhewouldbeinthetowninperson，andvisittheminlessthantwentydays，intimatingthattheywerepreparingforastorm。Sometartmessagesandanswerswereexchangedonthisoccasion。TheLordGoringsentwordtheywerewilling，incompassiontothepoortownspeople，andtosavethateffusionofblood，tosurrenderuponhonourableterms，butthatasforthestormingthem，whichwasthreatened，theymightcomeonwhentheythoughtfit，forthattheytheRoyalistswerereadyforthem。Thisheldtothe19th。
20th。TheLordFairfaxreturnedwhathesaidwashislastanswer，andshouldbethelastofferofmercy。Theconditionsofferedwere，thatuponapeaceablesurrender，allsoldiersandofficersunderthedegreeofacaptainincommissionshouldhavetheirlives，beexemptedfromplunder，andhavepassestogototheirrespectivedwellings。Allthecaptainsandsuperiorofficers，withallthelordsandgentlemen，aswellincommissionasvolunteers，tosurrenderprisonersatdiscretion，onlythattheyshouldnotbeplunderedbythesoldiers。
21st。Thegeneralsrejectedthoseoffers；andwhenthepeoplecameaboutthemagainforbread，setopenoneofthegates，andbidthemgoouttotheenemy，whichagreatmanydidwillingly；uponwhichtheLordGoringorderedalltherestthatcameabouthisdoortobeturnedoutafterthem。ButwhenthepeoplecametotheLordFairfax'scamptheout-guardswereorderedtofireatthemanddrivethemallbackagaintothegate，whichtheLordGoringseeing，heorderedthemtobereceivedinagain。Andnow，althoughthegeneralsandsoldiersalsowereresolutetodiewiththeirswordsintheirhandsratherthanyield，andhadmaturelyresolvedtoabideastorm，yettheMayorandAldermenhavingpetitionedthemaswellastheinhabitants，beingweariedwiththeimportunitiesofthedistressedpeople，andpityingthedeplorableconditiontheywerereducedto，theyagreedtoenteruponatreaty，andaccordinglysentoutsomeofficerstotheLordFairfax，theParliament-General，totreat，andwiththemwassenttwogentlemenoftheprisonersupontheirparoletoreturn。
UponthereturnofthesaidmessengerswiththeLordFairfax'sterms，theLordGoring，&c。，sentoutaletterdeclaringtheywoulddiewiththeirswordsintheirhandsratherthanyieldwithoutquarterforlife，andsentapaperofarticlesonwhichtheywerewillingtosurrender。ButintheveryinterimofthistreatynewscamethattheScotsarmy，underDukeHamilton，whichwasenteredintoLancashire，andwasjoinedbytheRoyalistsinthatcountry，making21，000men，wereentirelydefeated。AfterthistheLordFairfaxwouldnotgrantanyabatementofarticles-viz。，tohaveallabovelieutenantssurrenderatmercy。
UponthistheLordGoringandtheGeneralrefusedtosubmitagain，andproposedageneralsally，andtobreakthroughordie，butfounduponpreparingforitthatthesoldiers，whohadtheirlivesofferedthem，declinedit，fearingthegentlemenwouldescape，andtheyshouldbelefttothemercyoftheParliamentsoldiers；andthatuponthistheybegantomutinyandtalkofsurrenderingthetownandtheirofficerstoo。Thingsbeingbroughttothispass，theLordsandGenerallaidasidethatdesign，andfoundthemselvesobligedtosubmit；andsothetownwassurrenderedthe28thofAugust，1648，uponconditionsasfollows:-
TheLordsandgentlemenallprisonersatmercy。
Thecommonsoldiershadpassestogohometotheirseveraldwellings，butwithoutarms，andanoathnottoserveagainsttheParliament。
Thetowntobepreservedfrompillage，paying14，000poundsreadymoney。
Thesamedayacouncilofwarbeingcalledabouttheprisonersofwar，itwasresolvedthattheLordsshouldbelefttothedisposaloftheParliament。ThatSirCharlesLucas，SirGeorgeLisle，andSirMarmadukeGascoigneshouldbeshottodeath，andtheotherofficersprisonerstoremainincustodytillfurtherorder。
Thetwofirstofthethreegentlemenwereshottodeath，andthethirdrespited。ThusendedthesiegeofColchester。
N。B-Notwithstandingthenumberkilledinthesiege，anddeadoftheflux，andotherdistempersoccasionedbybaddiet，whichwereverymany，andnotwithstandingthenumberwhichdesertedandescapedinthetimeoftheirhardships，yetthereremainedatthetimeofthesurrender:
EarlofNorwichGoring。
LordCapell。
LordLoughbro'。
11Knights。
9Colonels。
8Lieut-Colonels。
9Majors。
30Captains。
72Lieutenants。
69Ensigns。
183SerjeantsandCorporals。
3，067PrivateSoldiers。
65ServantstotheLordsandGeneralOfficersandGentlemen。
3，526inall。
ThetownofColchesterhasbeensupposedtocontainabout40，000
people，includingtheout-villageswhicharewithinitsliberty，ofwhichthereareagreatmany-thelibertyofthetownbeingofagreatextent。Onesadtestimonyofthetownbeingsopopulousisthattheyburiedupwardsof5，259peopleintheplagueyear，1665。
Butthetownwasseverelyvisitedindeed，evenmoreinproportionthananyofitsneighbours，orthantheCityofLondon。
Thegovernmentofthetownisbyamayor，highsteward，arecorderorhisdeputy，elevenaldermen，achamberlain，atownclerk，assistants，andeighteencommoncouncilmen。Theirhighstewardthisyear，1722isSirIsaacRebow，agentlemanofagoodfamilyandknowncharacter，whohasgenerallyforabovethirtyyearsbeenoneoftheirrepresentativesinParliament。Hehasaverygoodhouseattheentranceinatthesouth，orheadgateofthetown，wherehehashadthehonourseveraltimestolodgeandentertainthelateKingWilliamofgloriousmemoryinhisreturningfromHollandbywayofHarwichtoLondon。TheirrecorderisEarlCowper，whohasbeentwiceLordHighChancellorofEngland。Buthislordshipnotresidinginthosepartshasputinforhisdeputy，-Price，Esq。，barrister-at-law，andwhodwellsinthetown。ThereareinColchestereightchurchesbesidesthosewhicharedamaged，andfivemeeting-houses，whereoftwoforQuakers，besidesaDutchchurchandaFrenchchurch。
PublicEdificesare-
1。BayHall，anancientsocietykeptupforascertainingthemanufactureofbays，whichare，oroughttobe，allbroughttothishalltobeviewedandsealedaccordingtotheirgoodnessbythemasters；andtothispracticehasbeenowingthegreatreputationoftheColchesterbaysinforeignmarkets，wheretoopenthesideofabaleandshowthesealhasbeenenoughtogivethebuyeracharacterofthevalueofthegoodswithoutanyfurthersearch；andsofarastheyabatetheintegrityandexactnessoftheirmethod，whichIamtoldoflateismuchomitted；Isay，sofar，thatreputationwillcertainlyabateinthemarketstheygoto，whichareprincipallyinPortugalandItaly。ThiscorporationisgovernedbyaparticularsetofmenwhoarecalledgovernorsoftheDutchBayHall。AndinthesamebuildingistheDutchchurch。
2。Theguildhallofthetown，calledbythemthemoothall，towhichisannexedthetowngaol。
3。Theworkhouse，beinglatelyenlarged，andtowhichbelongsacorporationorabodyoftheinhabitants，consistingofsixtypersonsincorporatedbyActofParliamentAnno1698fortakingcareofthepoor。Theyareincorporatedbythenameandtitleofthegovernor，deputygovernor，assistants，andguardiansofthepoorofthetownofColchester。Theyareinnumbereight-and-forty，towhomareaddedthemayorandaldermenforthetimebeing，whoarealwaysguardiansbythesamecharter。Thesemakethenumberofsixty，asabove。Thereisalsoagrammarfree-school，withagoodallowancetothemaster，whoischosenbythetown。
4。ThecastleofColchesterisnowbecomeonlyamonumentshowingtheantiquityoftheplace，itbeingbuiltasthewallsofthetownalsoare，withRomanbricks，andtheRomancoinsduguphere，andploughedupinthefieldsadjoining，confirmit。TheinhabitantsboastmuchthatHelena，themotherofConstantinetheGreat，firstChristianEmperoroftheRomans，wasbornthere，anditmaybesoforaughtweknow。IonlyobservewhatMr。CamdensaysoftheCastleofColchester，viz。:Inthemiddleofthiscitystandsacastlereadytofallwithage。
ThoughthiscastlehasstoodonehundredandtwentyyearsfromthetimeMr。Camdenwrotethataccount，anditisnotfallenyet，norwillanotherhundredandtwentyyears，Ibelieve，makeitlookonejottheolder。Anditwasobservablethatinthelatesiegeofthistown，acommonshot，whichthebesiegersmadeatthisoldcastle，weresofarfrommakingitfall，thattheymadelittleornoimpressionuponit；forwhichreason，itseems，andbecausethegarrisonmadenogreatuseofitagainstthebesiegers，theyfirednomoreatit。
Therearetwocharityschoolssetuphere，andcarriedonbyageneroussubscription，withverygoodsuccess。
ThetitleofColchesterisinthefamilyofEarlRivers，andtheeldestsonofthatfamilyiscalledLordColchester，thoughasI
understand，thetitleisnotsettledbythecreationtotheeldestsontillheenjoysthetitleofearlwithit，butthattheotherisbythecourtesyofEngland；however，thisItakeADREFERENDUM。
FromColchesterItookanotherstepdowntothecoast；thelandrunningoutagreatwayintothesea，southandsouth-eastmakesthatpromontoryoflandcalledtheNaze，andwellknowntoseamenusingthenortherntrade。Hereoneseesaseaopenasanoceanwithoutanyoppositeshore，thoughitbenomorethanthemouthoftheThames。ThispointcalledtheNaze，andthenorth-eastpointofKent，nearMargate，calledtheNorthForeland，makingwhattheycallthemouthoftheriverandtheportofLondon，thoughitbehereabovesixtymilesover。
AtWalton-under-the-Nazetheyfindontheshorecopperas-stoneingreatquantities；andthereareseverallargeworkscalledcopperashouses，wheretheymakeitwithgreatexpense。
OnthispromontoryisanewmarkerectedbytheTrinityHousemen，andatthepublicexpense，beingaroundbricktower，neareightyfeethigh。Theseagainssomuchuponthelandherebythecontinualwindsatsouth-west，thatwithinthememoryofsomeoftheinhabitantstheretheyhavelostabovethirtyacresoflandinoneplace。
Fromhencewegobackintothecountyaboutfourmiles，becauseofthecreekswhichliebetween；andthenturningeastagaincometoHarwich，ontheutmosteasternpointofthislargecountry。
Harwichisatownsowellknownandsoperfectlydescribedbymanywriters，Ineedsaylittleofit。Itisstrongbysituation，andmaybemademoresobyart。ButitismanyyearssincetheGovernmentofEnglandhavehadanyoccasiontofortifytownstothelandward；itisenoughthattheharbourorroad，whichisoneofthebestandsecurestinEngland，iscoveredattheentrancebyastrongfortandabatteryofgunstotheseaward，justasatTilbury，andwhichsufficientlydefendthemouthoftheriver。Andthereisaparticularfelicityinthisfortification，viz。，thatthoughtheentranceoropeningoftheriverintotheseaisverywide，especiallyathigh-water，atleasttwomiles，ifnotthreeover；yettheChannel，whichisdeep，andinwhichtheshipsmustkeepandcometotheharbour，isnarrow，andliesonlyonthesideofthefort，sothatalltheshipswhichcomeinorgooutmustcomecloseunderthegunsofthefort-thatistosay，underthecommandoftheirshot。
ThefortisontheSuffolksideofthebayorentrance，butstandssofarintotheseauponthepointofasandorshoal，whichrunsouttowardtheEssexside，asitwere，lapsoverthemouthofthathavenlikeablindtoit；andoursurveyorsofthecountryaffirmittobeinthecountyofEssex。Themakingthisplace，whichwasformerlynootherthanasandinthesea，solidenoughforthefoundationofsogoodafortification，hasnotbeendonebutbymanyyears'labour，oftenrepairs，andaninfiniteexpenseofmoney，butitisnowsofirmthatnothingofstormsandhightides，orsuchthingsasmaketheseadangeroustothesekindofworks，canaffectit。
Theharbourisofavastextent；for，astworiversemptythemselveshere，viz。，StourfromManningtreeandtheOrwellfromIpswich，thechannelsofbotharelargeanddeep；andsafeforallweathers；sowheretheyjointheymakealargebayorroadabletoreceivethebiggestships，andthegreatestnumberthatevertheworldsawtogether；Imeanshipsofwar。IntheoldDutchwargreatusehasbeenmadeofthisharbour；andIhaveknownthattherehasbeenonehundredsailofmen-of-warandtheirattendantsandbetweenthreeandfourhundredsailofcolliershipsallinthisharbouratatime，andyetnoneofthemcrowdingorridingindangerofoneanother。
Harwichisknownforbeingtheportwherethepacketboats，betweenEnglandandHolland，gooutandcomein。Theinhabitantsarefarfrombeingfamedforgoodusagetostrangers，but，onthecontrary，areblamedforbeingextravagantintheirreckoningsinthepublic-
houses，whichhasnotalittleencouragedthesettingupofsloops，whichtheynowcallpassageboats，toHolland，togodirectlyfromtheRiverThames；this，thoughitmaybesomethingthelongerpassage，yetastheyaresaidtobemoreobligingtopassengersandmorereasonableintheexpense，and，assomesay，also，thevesselsarebetterseaboats，hasbeenthereasonwhysomanypassengersdonotgoorcomebythewayofHarwichasformerlywerewonttodo；
insomuchthatthestagecoachesbetweenthisplaceandLondon，whichordinarilywenttwiceorthreetimesaweek，arenowentirelylaiddown，andthepassengersarelefttohirecoachesonpurpose，takepost-horses，orhirehorsestoColchester，astheyfindmostconvenient。
Theaccountofapetrifyingqualityintheearthhere，thoughsomewillhaveittobeinthewaterofaspringhardby，isverystrange。Theyboastthattheirtowniswalledandtheirstreetspavedwithclay，andyetthatoneisasstrongandtheotherascleanasthosethatarebuiltorpavedwithstone。Thefactisindeedtrue，forthereisasortofclayinthecliff，betweenthetownandtheBeaconHilladjoining，which，whenitfallsdownintothesea，whereitisbeatenwiththewavesandtheweather，turnsgraduallyintostone。Butthechiefreasonassignedisfromthewaterofacertainspringorwell，which，risinginthesaidcliff，runsdownintotheseaamongthosepiecesofclay，andpetrifiesthemasitruns；andtheforceoftheseaoftenstirring，andperhapsturning，thelumpsofclay，whenstormsofwindmaygiveforceenoughtothewater，causesthemtohardeneverywherealike；
otherwisethosewhichwerenotquitesunkinthewaterofthespringwouldbepetrifiedbutinpart。Thesestonesaregathereduptopavethestreetsandbuildthehouses，andareindeedveryhard。Itisalsoremarkablethatsomeofthemtakenupbeforetheyarethoroughlypetrifiedwill，uponbreakingthem，appeartobehardasastonewithoutandsoftasclayinthemiddle；whereasothersthathavelainaduetimeshallbethoroughstonetothecentre，andasexceedinghardwithinaswithout。Thesamespringissaidtoturnwoodintoiron。ButthisItaketobenomoreorlessthanthequality，which，asImentionedoftheshoreattheNaze，isfoundtobeinmuchofthestoneallalongthisshore，viz。，ofthecopperaskind；anditiscertainthatthecopperasstonesocalledisfoundinallthatcliff，andevenwherethewaterofthisspringhasrun；andIpresumethatthosewhocallthehardenedpiecesofwood，whichtheytakeoutofthiswellbythenameofiron，nevertriedthequalityofitwiththefireorhammer；iftheyhad，perhapstheywouldhavegivensomeotheraccountofit。
OnthepromontoryoflandwhichtheycallBeaconHillandwhichliesbeyondorbehindthetowntowardsthesea，thereisalighthousetogivetheshipsdirectionsintheirsailingbyaswellastheircomingintotheharbourinthenight。IshalltakenoticeoftheseagainalltogetherwhenIcometospeakoftheSocietyofTrinityHouse，astheyarecalled，bywhomtheyarealldirecteduponthiscoast。
ThistownwaserectedintoamarquisateinhonourofthetrulygloriousfamilyofSchomberg，theeldestsonofDukeSchomberg，wholandedwithKingWilliam，beingstyledMarquisofHarwich；butthatfamilyinEngland，atleastbeingextinctthetitlediesalso。
Harwichisatownofhurryandbusiness，notmuchofgaietyandpleasure；yettheinhabitantsseemwarmintheirnests，andsomeofthemareverywealthy。Therearenotmanyifanygentlemenorfamiliesofnoteeitherinthetownorverynearit。TheysendtwomemberstoParliament；thepresentareSirPeterParkerandHumphreyParsons，Esq。
AndnowbeingattheextremityofthecountyofEssex，ofwhichI
havegivenyousomeviewastothatsidenexttheseaonly，IshallbreakoffthispartofmyletterbytellingyouthatIwilltakethetownswhichliemoretowardsthecentreofthecounty，inmyreturnbythenorthandwestpartonly，thatImaygiveyouafewhintsofsometownswhichwerenearmeinmyroutethisway，andofwhichbeingsowellknownthereisbutlittletosay。
OntheroadfromLondontoColchester，beforeIcameintoitatWitham，liefourgoodmarkettownsatequaldistancefromoneanother，namely，Romford，notedfortwomarkets，viz。，oneforcalvesandhogs，theotherforcornandotherprovisions，most，ifnotall，boughtupforLondonmarket。Atthefartherendofthetown，inthemiddleofastatelypark，stoodGuldyHall，vulgarlyGiddyHall，anancientseatofoneCoke，sometimeLordMayorofLondon，butforfeitedonsomeoccasiontotheCrown。Itissincepulleddowntotheground，andtherenowstandsanoblestatelyfabricormansionhouse，builtuponthespotbySirJohnEyles，awealthymerchantofLondon，andchosenSub-GovernoroftheSouthSeaCompanyimmediatelyaftertheruinoftheformerSub-GovernorandDirectors，whoseoverthrowmakesthehistoryofthesetimesfamous。
BrentwoodandIngatestone，andevenChelmsforditself，haveverylittletobesaidofthem，butthattheyarelargethoroughfaretowns，fullofgoodinns，andchieflymaintainedbytheexcessivemultitudeofcarriersandpassengerswhichareconstantlypassingthiswaytoLondonwithdrovesofcattle，provisions，andmanufacturesforLondon。
Thelastofthesetownsisindeedthecountytown，wherethecountygaoliskept，andwheretheassizesareveryoftenheld；itstandsontheconfluxoftworivers-theChelmer，whencethetowniscalled，andtheCann。
AtLees，orLee'sPriory，assomecallit，istobeseenanancienthouseinthemiddleofabeautifulpark，formerlytheseatofthelateDukeofManchester，butsincethedeathofthedukeitissoldtotheDuchessDowagerofBuckinghamshire，thepresentDukeofManchesterretiringtohisancientfamilyseatatKimboltoninHuntingdonshire，itbeingamuchfinerresidence。HisgraceislatelymarriedtoadaughteroftheDukeofMontagubyabranchofthehouseofMarlborough。
Fourmarkettownsfilluptherestofthispartofthecountry-
Dunmow，Braintree，Thaxted，andCoggeshall-allnotedforthemanufactureofbays，asabove，andforverylittleelse，exceptI